Magnetic resistance device for exerciser

ABSTRACT

A magnetic resistance device for an exerciser includes a flywheel rotatably attached to a base with a spindle, a number of magnetic members attached to an outer peripheral rim of the flywheel, a carrier attached to the base, a magnetic attractive arm having one end attached to the carrier, and a handle actuatable cable coupled to the other end of the magnetic attractive arm for pivoting and moving the magnetic attractive arm toward and away from the magnetic members and the flywheel and for adjusting a magnetic retarding force applied to the flywheel, and for allowing the heat generated by the magnetic members to be easily and quickly dissipated.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a resistance or retarding device for a cycle exerciser, and more particularly to a magnetic resistance device for attaching to various cycle exercisers and including an arrangement for allowing the magnetic members to be heat dissipated and for increasing the working life of the magnetic resistance device.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Typical cycle exercisers comprise a pair of cranks and foot pedals rotatably attached to a user supporting frame, and a flywheel also rotatably attached to the user supporting frame and coupled to the cranks for allowing the flywheel to be rotated or driven by the cranks and the foot pedals, and a magnetic resistance device attached to the user supporting frame and disposed close to the flywheel for applying a magnetic resisting or retarding force to the flywheel and for braking the flywheel.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,324,242 to Lo discloses one of the typical exercise apparatuses also comprising a flywheel rotatably attached to the user supporting frame and coupled to the cranks, and a magnet-type resistance generator attached to the user supporting frame for acting to the flywheel and for braking the flywheel, and including a number of magnets disposed on the outer periphery of a slide seat and disposed adjacent to the peripheral ring of a rotary plate and movable toward the rotary plate for generating a resisting or retarding force to retard or to resist the rotation of the rotary plate.

However, the magnets are disposed on the outer periphery of the slide seat and may greatly increase the weight of the slide seat and may interfere the movement or the operation of the slide seat and the magnets. In addition, the whole rotary plate is required to be made of metal conductive materials or magnetic attractive materials which are heavy and may greatly increase the manufacturing cost for the typical exercise apparatuses.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,404 to Lee discloses another typical magnetic adjustable loading device also comprising a magnetic plate and permanent magnets disposed on the magnetic plate and movable toward a rotor of a flywheel which is disposed on the outer peripheral portion of the magnetic plate and the permanent magnets for generating a resisting or retarding force to retard or to resist the rotation of the rotor of the flywheel.

However, similarly, the magnets are disposed on the outer periphery of the magnetic plate and may greatly increase the weight of the magnetic plate and may interfere the movement or the operation of the magnetic plate and the magnets. In addition, the whole rotor of the flywheel is required to be made of metal conductive materials or magnetic attractive materials which are heavy and may greatly increase the manufacturing cost for the typical magnetic adjustable loading device.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,953 to Wei et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,851,165 to Wei et al. disclose two further typical wheel-type resistance devices for bicycle exercisers and comprising two mounting members for attaching or supporting permanent magnets and disposed in a flywheel, and a cam member for engaging with the mounting members and for moving the mounting members and the permanent magnets toward and away from the flywheel, and for generating a resisting or retarding force to retard or to resist the rotation of the flywheel.

However, similarly, the magnets are disposed on the outer periphery of the mounting members and may greatly increase the weight of the mounting members and may interfere the movement or the operation of the mounting members and the magnets. In addition, the whole flywheel is also required to be made of metal conductive materials or magnetic attractive materials which are heavy and may greatly increase the manufacturing cost for the typical wheel-type resistance devices.

The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional magnetic resistance devices for cycle exercisers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a magnetic resistance device for attaching to various cycle exercisers and including an arrangement for allowing the magnetic members to be heat dissipated and for increasing the working life of the magnetic resistance device.

The other objective of the present invention is to provide a magnetic resistance device for attaching to various cycle exercisers and including a flywheel formed or molded or manufactured with molding or mold-injection procedures or methods for reducing the manufacturing cost for the flywheel and for decreasing the weight of the flywheel.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a magnetic resistance device for an exerciser comprising a base, a flywheel rotatably attached to the base with a spindle, and including a peripheral rim, a number of magnetic members attached to the peripheral rim of the flywheel and rotated in concert with, the flywheel, a carrier attached to the base, a magnetic attractive arm including a first end pivotally attached to the carrier with a pivot pin, and including a second end, and the magnetic attractive arm being disposed around the magnetic members and the flywheel and arranged to be moved toward or away from the magnetic members and the flywheel, and a handle actuatable cable coupled to the second end of the magnetic attractive arm for pivoting the magnetic attractive arm relative to the pivot pin and for moving the magnetic attractive arm toward and away from the magnetic members and the flywheel and for adjusting a magnetic retarding force applied to the flywheel.

The flywheel includes a number of depressions formed in the peripheral rim for receiving and engaging with the magnetic members respectively and for attaching the magnetic members to the peripheral rim of the flywheel.

The flywheel includes a central hub rotatably attached to the base with the spindle, and includes a number of wheel spokes coupled between the central hub and the outer peripheral rim of the flywheel.

The carrier includes a bracket attached to the carrier, and the handle actuatable cable is attached to the bracket 46 and coupled to the second end of the magnetic attractive arm for pivoting the magnetic attractive arm toward and away from the magnetic members and the flywheel.

The carrier includes an adjusting member or fastener threaded and attached to the bracket and adjustable relative to the bracket and the carrier for engaging with the second end of the magnetic attractive arm and for adjusting a spacing distance between the second end of the magnetic attractive arm and the magnetic members.

The magnetic attractive arm includes an arch attached to the magnetic attractive arm and disposed between the magnetic attractive arm and the magnetic members for spacing the magnetic attractive arm from the magnetic members and for preventing the magnetic attractive arm from contacting with the magnetic members.

A rotary member is further provided and rotatably attached to the base with an axle and coupled to the spindle, a pair of cranks are rotatably attached to the base with the axle and each include a foot pedal attached to a free end portion of the crank for allowing the rotary member to be rotated relative to the base by the foot pedals and the cranks.

A rotary member is further provided and includes a peripheral recess formed in an outer peripheral portion of the rotary member, a pulley is attached to the flywheel and rotatably attached to the base with the spindle, and a coupling belt or member engaged with the rotary member and the pulley for allowing the pulley and the flywheel to be rotated relative to the base by the rotary member and the cranks.

A lever is further provided and pivotally attached to the base with a shaft, and a second pulley is rotatably attached to the lever and engaged with the coupling member for stretching the coupling member.

A spring member is further provided and attached to the lever and coupled to the base for actuating the second pulley to stretch the coupling member.

Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the detailed description provided hereinbelow, with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial exploded view of a cycle exerciser including a magnetic resistance or retarding device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the magnetic resistance device for the cycle exerciser;

FIG. 3 is a partial side plan schematic view of the magnetic resistance device of the cycle exerciser;

FIG. 4 is another partial side plan schematic view similar to FIG. 3, illustrating the operation of the magnetic resistance device of the cycle exerciser;

FIGS. 5, 6 are further partial side plan schematic views similar to FIGS. 3 and 4, illustrating the other arrangement of the magnetic resistance device;

FIG. 7 is a partial exploded view of the magnetic resistance device as shown in FIGS. 5-6; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the magnetic resistance device as shown in FIGS. 5-7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1-3, a magnetic resistance device in accordance with the present invention comprises a stationary base 10 including a seat post 11 extended upwardly from the stationary base 10 for supporting a seat cushion thereon (not shown), and including a frame or column 12 also extended upwardly from the stationary base 10. A follower or rotary member 20 is rotatably attached to the stationary base 10 or the seat post 11 with an axle 21 and includes a peripheral recess 22 in the outer peripheral portion of the rotary member 20 for engaging with a belt or coupling member 23, a pair of cranks 24 are extended from the axle 21 or are rotatably attached to the stationary base 10 or the seat post 11 with the axle 21 and each include a foot pedal 25 attached to the free end portion of the crank 24 for allowing the rotary member 20 to be driven or rotated relative to the stationary base 10 or the seat post 11 with or by the foot pedals 25 and the cranks 24.

A flywheel 30 includes a hub 31 rotatably attached to the stationary base 10 or the column 12 with a spindle 32 and/or fasteners 39, and includes a peripheral rim 33 disposed around the hub 31 and coupled to the hub 31 with one or more (such as six) wheel spokes 34, and includes a number of depressions 35 formed in the outer peripheral portion of the peripheral rim 33 for receiving or engaging with the magnetic members 36 respectively and for attaching or securing the magnetic members 36 to the peripheral rim 33 of the flywheel 30. A pulley 37 is attached or fixed or secured to the hub 31 of the flywheel 30 and is also rotatably attached to the stationary base 10 or the column 12 with the spindle 32 for allowing the flywheel 30 and the pulley 37 to be rotated in concert with each other. The belt or coupling member 23 is coupled to or engaged with the pulley 37 for allowing the flywheel 30 to be driven or rotated relative to the stationary base 10 by the rotary member 20 and the foot pedals 25 and the cranks 24.

It is to be noted that the peripheral rim 33 and the hub 31 and the spokes 34 or the flywheel 30 may be easily and quickly formed or molded or manufactured with molding or mold-injection procedures or methods such that the manufacturing cost for the flywheel 30 may be greatly reduced and the weight of the flywheel 30 may also be greatly decreased. In addition, the magnetic members 36 are engaged into the depressions 35 that are formed in the outer peripheral portion of the peripheral rim 33 such that the magnetic members 36 may be moved or rotated in concert with the peripheral rim 33 of the flywheel 30 and such that the heat generated by the magnetic members 36 may be easily dissipated. It is preferable that the outer peripheral surfaces or portions 38 of the magnetic members 36 are flush with each other for allowing the magnetic members 36 to be arranged in a circular shape or configuration.

A seat or frame or carrier 40 includes a middle portion solidly attached or secured to the stationary base 10 or the column 12 with the spindle 32 and the fasteners 39, and a curved magnetic attractive member or arm 41 includes one end or first end 42 rotatably or pivotally attached to the carrier 40 with a pivot pin 43, and includes the other end or second end 44, and the curved magnetic attractive arm 41 is disposed around the magnetic members 36 and the flywheel 30 and arranged to be moved toward or away from the magnetic members 36 and the flywheel 30. It is preferable that a curved aluminum arch 45 is attached or fixed or secured to the inner peripheral portion of the curved magnetic attractive arm 41 and disposed or arranged between the curved magnetic attractive arm 41 and the magnetic members 36 and the flywheel 30 for suitably spacing the curved magnetic attractive arm 41 from the magnetic members 36 and the flywheel 30 and for preventing the curved magnetic attractive arm 41 from contacting with the magnetic members 36 and the flywheel 30.

A bracket 46 is attached or fixed or secured to the carrier 40, and a handle actuatable cable 47 is attached to the bracket 46 and coupled to the other end or second end 44 of the curved magnetic attractive arm 41 for pivoting or rotating the curved magnetic attractive arm 41 around or relative to the pivot pin 43, and for moving the curved magnetic attractive arm 41 toward or away from the magnetic members 36 and the flywheel 30 (FIGS. 3, 4). A fastener or adjusting member 48 is threaded or attached to the bracket 46 and adjustable relative to the bracket 46 and the carrier 40 for selectively engaging with the other end or second end 44 of the curved magnetic attractive arm 41 and for adjusting the movement of the other end or second end 44 of the curved magnetic attractive arm 41 relative to the bracket 46 and the carrier 40 and the magnetic members 36 and for limiting or controlling the movement of the curved magnetic attractive arm 41 relative to the magnetic members 36.

In operation, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the other end or second end 44 of the curved magnetic attractive arm 41 may be moved toward or away from the magnetic members 36 and the flywheel 30 with the handle actuatable cable 47 in order to adjust and to determine the spacing distance between the curved magnetic attractive arm 41 and the magnetic members 36 and so as to adjust the magnetic resistive or retarding force applied to the flywheel and in order to suitably brake the flywheel with selected magnetic resistive or retarding forces. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a lever 50 has a middle portion rotatably or pivotally attached to the column 12 with a pivot shaft 51, and another pulley 52 is rotatably attached to one end of the lever 50 and engaged with the belt or coupling member 23, and a spring member 53 is attached to the other end of the lever 50 and coupled to the column 12 of the base 10 for actuating the pulley 52 to force and to stretch the belt or coupling member 23.

Again, it is to be noted that the flywheel 30 may be quickly formed or molded or manufactured with molding or mold-injection procedures or methods such that the manufacturing cost for the flywheel 30 may be greatly reduced and the quantity of the expensive metal material of the flywheel 30 may also be decreased. In addition, the magnetic members 36 are attached to the outer peripheral portion of the peripheral rim 33 in order to increase the weight and the momentum of the outer peripheral portion of the peripheral rim 33 of the flywheel 30, and the magnetic members 36 may be moved or rotated in concert with the peripheral rim 33 of the flywheel 30 such that the heat generated by the magnetic members 36 may be easily and quickly dissipated. Furthermore, the magnetic members 36 are not attached or fixed or secured to the arm 41 such that the weight of the arm 41 may be reduced and such that the arm 41 may be easily operated by the user.

Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 5-8, illustrated is the other arrangement of the flywheel 301 of the magnetic resistance device, in which the flywheel 301 includes a housing 310 having a hub 311 rotatably attached to the stationary base 10 or the column 12 with the spindle 32 and having a peripheral rim 312, and includes two semi-circular bars 331 disposed or engaged into the housing 310 for supporting or attaching the magnetic members 36 to the peripheral rim 312 of the flywheel 301, a carrier 401 is also attached to the stationary base 10 or the column 12 with the spindle 32, and two curved magnetic attractive members or arms 41 are pivotally attached to the carrier 401 with pivot pins 43 and also disposed in correspondence to the magnetic members 36 and arranged to be moved toward or away from the magnetic members 36 with the handle actuatable cable 47.

An aluminum arch 45 may also be attached or fixed or secured to the outer peripheral portion of the curved magnetic attractive arm 41 and disposed or arranged between the curved magnetic attractive arm 41 and the magnetic members 36 for spacing the arm 41 from the magnetic members 36 and for preventing the arm 41 from contacting with the magnetic members 36. Similarly, the flywheel 301 may be easily and quickly formed or molded or manufactured with molding or mold-injection procedures or methods such that the manufacturing cost for the flywheel 301 may be greatly reduced. In addition, the magnetic members 36 are attached to the outer peripheral portion of the peripheral rim 312 such that the magnetic members 36 may be moved or rotated in concert with the peripheral rim 312 of the flywheel 301 and such that the heat generated by the magnetic members 36 may be easily dissipated.

Accordingly, the magnetic resistance device in accordance with the present invention may be provided for attaching to various cycle exercisers and includes an arrangement for allowing the magnetic members to be heat dissipated and for increasing the working life of the magnetic resistance device.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example only and that numerous changes in the detailed construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

1. A magnetic resistance device for an exerciser comprising: a base, a flywheel rotatably attached to said base with a spindle, and including a peripheral rim, a plurality of magnetic members attached to said peripheral rim of said flywheel and rotated in concert with said flywheel, a carrier attached to said base, a magnetic attractive arm including a first end pivotally attached to said carrier with a pivot pin, and including a second end, and said magnetic attractive arm being disposed around said magnetic members and said flywheel and arranged to be moved toward or away from said magnetic members and said flywheel, and a handle actuatable cable coupled to said second end of said magnetic attractive arm for pivoting said magnetic attractive arm relative to said pivot pin and for moving said magnetic attractive arm toward and away from said magnetic members and said flywheel and for adjusting a magnetic retarding force applied to said flywheel.
 2. The magnetic resistance device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flywheel includes a plurality of depressions formed in said peripheral rim for receiving and engaging with said magnetic members respectively and for attaching said magnetic members to said peripheral rim of said flywheel.
 3. The magnetic resistance device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flywheel includes a hub rotatably attached to said base with said spindle, and includes a plurality of wheel spokes coupled between said hub and said peripheral rim of said flywheel.
 4. The magnetic resistance device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said carrier includes a bracket attached to said carrier, and said handle actuatable cable is attached to said bracket 46 and coupled to said second end of said magnetic attractive arm for pivoting said magnetic attractive arm toward and away from said magnetic members and said flywheel.
 5. The magnetic resistance device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said carrier includes an adjusting member threaded and attached to said bracket and adjustable relative to said bracket and said carrier for engaging with said second end of said magnetic attractive arm and for adjusting a spacing distance between said second end of said magnetic attractive arm and said magnetic members.
 6. The magnetic resistance device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said magnetic attractive arm includes an arch attached to said magnetic attractive arm and disposed between said magnetic attractive arm and said magnetic members for spacing said magnetic attractive arm from said magnetic members and for preventing said magnetic attractive arm from contacting with said magnetic members.
 7. The magnetic resistance device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a rotary member is rotatably attached to said base with an axle and coupled to said spindle, a pair of cranks are rotatably attached to said base with said axle and each include a foot pedal attached to a free end portion of said crank for allowing said rotary member to be rotated relative to said base by said foot pedals and said cranks.
 8. The magnetic resistance device as claimed in claim 7, wherein a rotary member includes a peripheral recess formed in an outer peripheral portion of said rotary member, a pulley is attached to said flywheel and rotatably attached to said base with said spindle, and a coupling member engaged with said rotary member and said pulley for allowing said pulley and said flywheel to be rotated relative to said base by said rotary member and said cranks.
 9. The magnetic resistance device as claimed in claim 8, wherein a lever is pivotally attached to said base with a shaft, and a second pulley is rotatably attached to said lever and engaged with said coupling member for stretching said coupling member.
 10. The magnetic resistance device as claimed in claim 9, wherein a spring member is attached to said lever and coupled to said base for actuating said second pulley to stretch said coupling member. 